Been practicing almost nightly in the yard and the exercise is wearing me out -- all the walking to keep the 12-14# mono from re-tangling while I'm digging out bird nests. Some of them have been so bad I'm almost to the very end of the line before the tangles are out. I think the reel is correctly adjusted: all 6 magnets are on and the dial for spool tension doesn't drop the bobber I'm using for a weight unless I jiggle the rod. I did managed to make one (yes only one so far) successful but very short cast (25-20 feet) but the bobber was waaay off the target.

You say "bobber" as a weight...what exactly are you using, how heavy is it? If the weight doesn't match well for the rod's action, it can make for a steep learning curve. Also, you may want to try a heavier lb. test when starting to learn the baitcaster.

I would use something a little heavier than a bobber to practice. Light weight lures (a bobber in this case) are difficult to cast sometimes. You can always tighten down the spool tension knob a little more, never hurts. It will not cast as far, but as you get comfortable, you can let it back out some. You are correct about having it just tight enough to drop when you jiggle the rod though. Also make sure your thumb is on the spool by the time the lure hits the ground/water because the spool will keep going while the lure is stopped which will cause a bird's nest.

Tie on a 1/2oz. weight and keep it pretty close to your rod tip when you are ready to throw.

Start out doing a side arm cast as it's the easiest to get a smooth motion.

With 12 o clock straight in front of you slowly take the rod back to 4 o clock. Once at 4 o clock, in a single smooth motion swing your arm out to your target. (Assuming you know how to aim a rod).

When the weight is in the air thumb your reel with a feathering motion until you get the line control down and are able to hover your thumb.

That is how I was taught. There are guys on here that have been fishing longer than i've been alive that may have a better way....

I'm assuming the reason you're nesting so hard is because you have a light bobber on and/or you are whipping your rod. Baitcasters need to be thrown in a smooth motion as a "crack" of the rod will cause backlash. Start with short tosses and work your way further as you feel more comfortable. Just keep practicing and you'll get to the point where you can tell in the first 3ft. if you are going to backlash and also get the line control to help prevent the dreaded nest.

Take your line and walk out a cast worth of line. Put some black electrical tape on the rest of the spool. Use anywhere from 3/8 to 1/2 oz weight. Sounds like you have the spool and brakes set alright. The cast has to be smooth. You can pick up casting speed as you become better. This is the method I used to teach my son when he was 6. He is 11 now and likes more of a free spool than I do. Eventually you can get to where you use your thumb to control your spool. As a weight I just took the hook off of a jiggin slab or spoon. That way your casting a real lure.

Bobber, as in round? You can buy rubberized casting weights that weigh about 3/4 oz. It's much more aerodynamic than a bbober. I suspect you don't have enough weight on the end of your line. Secondly, if you're trying to launch the 'bobber' with your arm and your reel, you're doing it wrong. A cast is more forearm and wrist action. In addition, loading up the rod before releasing your bobber is the way it's done.

Other than that, all good advice above BUT, your best bet is to find someone who is proficient with a baitcaster and get them to work with you for 10 or 15 minutes. Reading all our tips and those available on the www is great, but there is no better way to learn it the right way than from someone standing there with you.

_________________________
"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.

Haha. I've been throwing bait casting gear for 40 years. Last night I dug out a back lash a little. Saw another "loop" deeper in the spool and thought I might as well get that one out too. So I pulled another 20-30ft of line off. Then went to reel it in to the spool and had a bad knot in the line. I easily lost 150ft of pretty expensive line.

Not being sarcastic, but you do know that you have to stop the bobber/weight right before it hits target? I say this because I've seen someone (beginner) doing this and actually thought if the reel is setup right it will stop itself.

_________________________
Proud Father, Sons Served their country RHBC